“Consumers of child pornography help create a market and demand for the production of images of sexual abuse and exploitation of real children,” Grissom said. “They contribute to the cycle of abuse and are in part responsible for the harm suffered by children.”

In his plea, Hastert, admitted that the investigation began in September 2011 when a task force with the FBI cyber crime unit in Kansas City, Mo., downloaded child pornography from Hastert’s computer using a file sharing program. Investigators followed an electronic trail to Hastert’s home in Topeka. A forensic examination located 875 images and 58 videos of child pornography on Hastert’s computer.

Grissom commended the FBI and Assistant U.S. Attorney Christine Kenney for their work on the case.